Kerala saw polarisation and splits of political
forces since the formation of the United Democratic Front Ministry
on May 24, 1982. The merger of the two factions of the Indian National
Congress, viz, the INC (I) and the INC (A), in November, 1982 marked
the beginning of the political polarisation. Another important event was
the reunion of the IUML and the AIML in August, 1985. Before the election,
the united Kerala Congress once again split into two; each faction continuing
to remain in the UDF. A faction of the Congress (S) and the Janata
(G) also joined the INC (I).

In the mean time, there were splits in the NDP and the SRP. The NDP
group led by Mr. Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai and the SRP faction. led
by Mr. Vijayarajan left the UDF, whereas the other factions of these parties
stood with the Left Democratic Front.

The CPI-M took disciplinary action against their MLA, Mr. M.V. Raghavan.
Consequently, he launched a new party, Communist Marxist Party (CMP). The
emergence of a third front, the BJP-Hindu Munnani Front, was another political
development.

The elections to the Eighth Kerala Assembly were held on March
23, 1987. The UDF and the LDF were the two major political fronts
in the arena. The UDF had the INC(I), IUML, KC(J), KC(M), NDP (P),
SRP(S) and the RSP(S) as its constituents. The LDF comprised of the CPI(M),
CPI, RSP, IC(S), Janata Party and the Lok Dal. The BJP and. the Hindu
Munnani formed the third front. Several smaller parties such as the NDP
(P), SRP(V), ILP, AIFB, ILC, SUCI, CMP, KSP and some non-political
organisations also fielded their candidates. Besides, a record number (764)
of independent candidates were in the fray.

Out of the 140 elective seats in the Assembly, 13 were reserved for
the SC and one for. the ST. The electorate had increased from 13,117,012
in 1982 to 15,948,137 in 1987. Female voters out-numbered the male
voters. The Ernakulam District had the largest number of voters (1,597,136)
and Wayanad the lowest (343,841 ). The largest constituency with regard
to electorate was Udumbanchola (143,591) and the smallest Mattancherry
(88,465).

Though the elections had been declared for all the 140 constituencies,
the elections to two onstituencies-- Vamanapuram and Kottayam were countermanded
following the demise of two independent candidates. While the election
to the 138 constituencies were held on March 23, the elections in the other
two constituencies were delayed until June 2, 1987. There were 1251 candidates
at the hustings. The female candidates numbered 35 against 15 in
1982. Ranni had the largest number of candidates (21) while Manjeswar and
Neduvathur had the lowest (three each).

The LDF secured decisive majority in the House securing 78 seats. The
UDF won 61 seats. An independent won at Ettumanoor. The third front could
not open an account.